He believes this group can herald in brighter days for the Lillywhites. "The future is looking good. Many of this squad will become seniors in the next couple of years," remarked Burke.

Jimmy Hyland is already beginning to fit into the boots of Johnny Doyle. He had a stormer under the scorching Croke Park sun. Left foot or right, it didn't matter. He struck a cluster of gems. Each one coated with gleaming Newbridge silver.

Concern

When he scored 1-8 against Kerry in the semi-final, the main concern of his dad was that he'd be up early to turn the turf the following morning!